Everywhere I’ve been reading it suggests that the average American taxpayer will receive a refund around $3000.  Some people will immediately put that money into a savings account or pay off a debt they have outstanding.  Others may have a little more discretionary income to work with and might be looking for other avenues to spend their money.  For those that are thinking of doing something with a small “windfall” if you want to call it that, like your tax return, do you ever feel like family or friends are judging?  Do you feel guilty taking that money to spend on yourself?

Perhaps it’s time to look at some of the benefits that you can get from the travel you book.  Think back to your last vacation…did it make you happy?  Did you have fun?  I certainly hope so…..otherwise we really need to talk!  Travel makes people happy, it broadens your horizons, provides you with new experiences, makes you open to other people’s cultures, it can help us become a more well-rounded individual.  I’m not advocating spending money frivolously, but I would also hate to see you save and save and save for retirement and travel, and when that time rolls around, you’re not able to enjoy it.  I’ve seen it happen to people around me.  They work hard all their lives, put away money and plan to go places and then life happens and they aren’t able to for one reason or another.  Why not seize the opportunity if you have it.  Traveling can create memories that last a lifetime, whether you travel solo, with friends or with family.  It’s a shared experience.

Maybe you’re sitting there saying…”You know, she’s right…maybe I do deserve a break”, but how do I make that $3000 go as far as possible?  That, my friend, is where I can help.  I have some suggestions for ways to stretch your tax refund dollars.

• Work with a Professional such as myself.  Know that I have access to numerous vendors
• Let’s talk about traveling during shoulder seasons…this means travel to a location when it’s not high season.  There are less crowds and typically pricing is lower, although trade-offs can occur with this.  Shorter visitor hours, slightly less desirable weather etc.
• Choose your destination wisely….heading to an expensive city like LA, New York, or Boston may be out…but have you thought about a road less traveled?  Maybe you’ve never seen upstate New York, the Hudson River Valley, or a National Park etc.  You catch my drift…it doesn’t always have to be the glitz and glamour of a major destination to have fun.
• Be willing to make a connection or 2 with your flights to save some dollars…consider something within driving distance.

Give me a couple ideas you say?  Happily……

Cocoa Beach, Florida (The Space Coast) – Out here on the Space Coast you are approximately an hour away from Orlando.  With the beach, various water sports, Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, the Brevard Zoo, shopping and more there’s plenty to keep you busy.  And you won’t have the hustle and bustle or prices of Naples etc.  Fly from New York LGA into Orlando, stay on oceanfront on Cocoa Beach all for around $2000 in July.  That leaves plenty of money for admissions, food and airport transfers in the area.

How about a flight from Los Angeles (LAX) to Flagstaff Arizona with a 1 week hotel stay July in a Moderate Level Hotel like Courtyard by Marriott for around $1800 for 2 adults.  From Flagstaff you can see Meteor Crater, the Grand Canyon and Navajo lands etc.  You still have plenty of options for adventure, food and a rental car.

Still not convinced…okay, one last tidbit for you and then we need to talk!  How about flying out of Chicago to San Antonio for some food and fun at the Riverwalk?  See the Alamo, and did I mention the food?  For 2 adults, in July for 7 days with flights and a hotel on the Riverwalk you’re looking around $2300.

I hope this has sparked some thoughts of roads less traveled and what you can do with resources available to you.  Let’s start a discussion about where YOU want to go!  Email me at Carrie@MustLoveTravel.com or call me direct at 321-323-9835.